strathspey@strathspey.org:44938

Dick&Maureen Daniel
March 31, 2006, 10:09 p.m. (Message 44938)

FW: Over 700 schoolchildren dance in Glasgow

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Over 700 schoolchildren dance in Glasgow
There has been some media coverage of the remarkable Children’s Festival of
Dance held in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on 14th March 2006, and the beacon
lit there has been quickly spotted, as far afield as New Zealand. Over 700
primary schoolchildren excitedly dancing to the Scottish beat was a sight
which I feel privileged to have witnessed. There has also been deserved
praise for the people involved in its organisation – particularly, the
Education Dept. PE people, the schoolteachers, and the band. Most of these
contributors were being paid for their efforts.
I feel the point has been missed that the whole event would undoubtedly have
fallen flat, had it not been for the unstinting involvement of several other
people. The Glasgow Branch teachers who made regular visits to teach the
dances to included schools [Some to four schools], were in fact the hinge
pins on whom the entire event succeeded. As each school’s team entered the
venue a clear empathy bond between these individuals and the children was
made obvious by the excited waves and calls. That introduced an air of
familiarity to what could otherwise have developed into tense nervousness.
Then there were other Glasgow Branch members who liaised so effectively with
all the “officials” over many weeks, to bring everything together. Lastly,
and by no means least, were the Glasgow Branch [and other] members who
freely gave their time and efforts on the day. Without these people, many
of the children would not have succeeded in completing their dances.
Without these people, the organisation on the dance floor would have been
chaotic on many occasions. The best example of this was the Dashing White
Sergeant, where every child present was on the floor and keen to dance. The
eventual result was an unprecedented [in my experience] FOUR concentric
circles of dancers – an unrehearsed and unexpected formation, since it had
been envisaged that two rings would accommodate all dancers. This was all
sorted out in a very short time and diligently policed during the dance, to
ensure children progressed within their circles. Without that input, the
whole dance would probably have dissolved into chaos after one or two
iterations. As it was, the children completed all, virtually without a
single hitch and were avid to repeat it. Even on the occasions where a
group of three found there was no other trio for them to join for the next
iteration, they responded well to the suggestion that they should just dance
on their own [a common solution in ceilidh dancing], and were fed into a
correct progression for the next round, spawning another un-matched trio,
who merely did the same under instruction. Result – all of the children
danced all of the time – an unsung accolade to the helpers.
The other tremendous thing worthy of note, was the fact that these were not
“Elite Demonstration Teams” and this was not a competition or examination of
excellence. These were very ordinary kids. In many cases, their footwork
was appalling [by RSCDS standards]. Their figures were inspirational and
inventive, rather than prescribed. Their timing left a lot to be desired.
But their vibrant enthusiasm to be involved was forcefully evident.
The schools were separated into two groups [Red and Yellow], because even
this massive floor could not accommodate all of the dancers at one time and
give sufficient space to dance effectively. Despite the slight degree of
rivalry this inspired, kids from the red team excitedly volunteered to
complete sets for the yellows and vice versa. They [Both GIRLS and BOYS]
wanted to dance, because they truly enjoyed every second of it.
So why is RSCDS crumbling towards oblivion and unable to attract young
people? There is no doubt in my mind. Modern children [and young adults],
of many nationalities, find dancing to good Scottish music, totally
irresistable. These same modern children [and young adults] generally
refuse to submit to the severe regimentational standards imposed by RSCDS.
Standards, which were excellent for the era in which they were introduced as
ground breaking procedures and policies, are now seen as irrelevant, “kill –
joy” and “stuffy”, by current generations. As the youngsters would put it
--- “RSCDS needs to LOOSEN UP”. Filling our nice new glossy [expensive?]
headquarters magazine with pictures of the youngest people they can find
[40-something, going on teenage] may convince you that all is well, but I
have seen that monstrous chilling iceberg on our current horizon. The ship
will undoubtedly founder unless action is taken to CHANGE COURSE. No amount
of chanting “We are unsinkable” will have any impact on the inevitable
outcome. No doubt many first class passengers and officers will survive,
but the society will perish. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the band
also [voluntarily] went down with the ship on that previous occasion.
Unfortunately, I am only a common steward and the “Gold Braid” on the bridge
are obviously applying their “Nelson’s Eyes” to their telescopes, while
holding their hands over their ears and chanting “Laa laa laa” – [or should
that be “Laa Diddley a laa” per “The Simpsons”?]. Not by any means an easy
feat. Meanwhile, the Ball continues in the Grand Stateroom.
Discussions on the necessity to return a lady partner to her seat [et alia]
are no more than a Scotch Mist smoke screen. It is time to bring the
Scottish People’s Dancing back to the People and leave stringent competitive
dancing styles to those who wish to dance in competitions. Please note that
I am not suggesting extinction of competitive styles, but there is a time
and a place. First nurture that enthusiasm of youth, then introduce style
to those sufficiently interested, but maintain a tolerant attitude to those
who merely want to dance in a CIVILISED manner – exactly as we actually do
at all dances [and ceilidhs] I have ever attended. I would not wish to see
a return to pre-RSCDS rowdiness reportedly exhibited by some individuals in
the past.
There is a middle ground
Any teenage volunteers for forming a Scottish Gavotte Society? I think NOT.
Dick Daniel